KOTTAYAM: A DYFI protest march to Niraamaya Resorts, Kumarakom, on Thursday, alleging encroachment by the resort owned by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar, turned violent resulting in widespread damage to the property. The violence unleashed allegedly by the protesters led to the destruction of as many as five cottages at the resort.
The trouble began around 11 am when the DYFI activists took out a march to the resort demanding the authorities concerned should evict the land allegedly encroached upon by the resort.
As stones were thrown at the resort building, several glass panes were shattered. Amid the chaos, a group of protesters reached the rear side of the resort and destroyed the cottages there. They also took away the damaged doors and windows of the cottages and dumped them in the rivulet nearby.
Besides, furniture, roof tiles, glasses, bathrooms, surveillance cameras, office furniture and computers were vandalised, with the resort authorities putting the extent of the losses suffered at a staggering `5 crore.According to the police, a 20 member-strong group led by Ambily alias Mithun, Mathew, Praveen and Kannan had unleashed violence at the resort. A case was also registered against them. However, no one has so far been arrested in connection with the incident.
To prevent the eruption of further violence in the area, a police team is camping in the area. Later the protesters hoisted their flag on the land which they claimed was illegally occupied by the resort authorities. Earlier, DYFI district secretary P N Binu inaugurated the protest meeting in front of the resort. CPI area secretary B Sasikumar, DYFI district president Sajesh Sasi, K R Ajay, K S Animon and others spoke.
Niraamaya to pull out from state
Kottayam: In the wake of the attack on Niraamaya Resorts at Kumarakom on Thursday, the company has decided to back out from the move to invest `200 crore in Kerala. Manu Rishi Gupta, CEO, said in a release Niraamaya had decided to suspend its proposed `200 crore investment in two new properties. Gupta said Niraamaya will also pursue all legal options to identify and prosecute those who were involved in the incident, besides seeking financial compensation and restitution for the damages caused. “Niraamaya emphasises we have been victimised for no fault of ours.
The police and state machinery remained mere onlookers while criminal acts of dacoity, trespass and violence were being unleashed on a responsible law abiding investor in the state. However, our resolve to continue being a tourism partner in ‘Gods Own Country’ is stronger than ever before and we will complete the tasks we have set for ourselves. This incident can slow us but not stop us,” he said. He said as per the preliminary estimate, the extent of damage has been put at `4-5 crore. This is besides the loss of business, brand and goodwill amounting to `15-20 crore.